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Principal Interview Questions

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Principal interview questions and answers.

  1. What do you feel is the best measure of student success as a principal? See answer
  2. How do you ensure that your teachers have adequate administrative support? See answer
  3. What is your approach to maintaining or increasing school safety? See answer
  4. Describe your experience with completing performance evaluations for your teachers. See answer
  5. What unique training do you have that would support your success as a principal? See answer
  6. When dealing with a problematic student, at what point do you involve the parents? See answer
  7. Describe a time when you had to resolve a sensitive or volatile situation between a student and teacher. See answer
  8. What areas of improvement do you see for this school? See answer
  9. How do you encourage your teachers to update their skills and knowledge? See answer
  10. As a principal, what is your approach to providing student discipline? See answer
  11. What is the role of a principal in relation to the school board? See answer
  12. What is it about this school that attracts you to the position of principal? See answer
  13. How do you encourage your teachers to be role models for the school’s students?
  14. What is the most significant contribution you’ve made to a school you’ve worked for?
  15. How do you maintain open communication with the school’s staff?
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Hire your next Principal today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Principal Interview Questions and Answers

What do you feel is the best measure of student success as a principal?

A principal must review and monitor the academic success of the students within their school. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to measuring the progress of their students. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to identify appropriate measurements of success
  • Interest in looking at the academic and social success of students
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess student progress

Example:

"As a principal, it's important for me to measure not only the educational progress of the students but also their personal growth. So while I definitely consider measurements, such as test scores and provincial ranking, I also want to ensure that we're encouraging the social development of well-balanced students."

How do you encourage your teachers to be role models for the school's students?

A principal is the head role model for the structure within the school. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to encouraging teachers to be influential role models for their students. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of the social aspects that teachers play in a student's life
  • Interest in creating a positive learning environment with beneficial role models
  • Ability to build and develop a strong team of like-minded professionals

Example:

"To encourage teachers to be positive role models in the classroom, it starts with creating a culture that embraces the school's mission and values. Once we establish the values, then it's my responsibility to ensure all staff members understand the importance of demonstrating these values in their daily interactions."

How do you ensure that your teachers have adequate administrative support?

A competent principal works as a liaison between the school's teachers and the school board or other governing bodies. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to providing administrative support to their teachers. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to support their staff in discussions with school boards and other governing bodies
  • Open communication skills to ask questions and understand the concerns of the teachers
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with school staff

Example:

"As a principal, it's my responsibility to support my teachers during discussions with the board or other groups. I have an open-door policy with my teachers to have a constant and open dialogue about concerns, struggles, and issues."

What is your approach to maintaining or increasing school safety?

A principal must be aware of school safety issues that affect the staff, students, and visitors. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to the security of the school campus. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of current safety concerns regarding campus security
  • Ability to work with community resources, such as police resources officers
  • Dedication to providing a safe learning environment for all students and staff

Example:

"In light of events over the past decade, security of our staff and students has become more integral in our decision-making process. The security of our people and resources now is a priority that I continuously review. For example, I..."

Describe your experience with completing performance evaluations for your teachers.

A competent principal needs to provide performance evaluations to their teachers with constructive and objective feedback. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's level of experience in completing professional work assessments. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remain objective and constructive when delivering feedback
  • Communication skills to hold a positive discussion on performance
  • Ability to follow a structured process when completing performance evaluations

Example:

"I have several years of participating in performance evaluations as an assistant principal. I've also taken several courses to improve my communication and evaluation skills to provide useful feedback to my staff, which includes focusing on goal setting and professional development."

What unique training do you have that would support your success as a principal?

A successful principal has academic training to support the duties and responsibilities of their position. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's educational background that specifically helps the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in taking part in ongoing professional development
  • Ability to adapt experience and knowledge to the benefit of the position
  • Understanding of the full scope of duties and responsibilities of the job description

Example:

"I continually upgrade my skills and knowledge by participating in professional development opportunities. Some of my unique training that supports a principal position includes courses on effective communication skills, negotiation and persuasive communication, and leadership training."

When dealing with a problematic student, at what point do you involve the parents?

A competent principal must manage students and understand when it's appropriate to involve the parents or guardians. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to handling problematic students and parental involvement. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to handle challenging students independently through discipline or other methods
  • Discernment to know when to involve a student's parents in the disciplinary process
  • Communication skills to have an open discussion with students, parents, and teachers

Example:

"In a middle school environment such as this, involving the parents happens earlier than in higher grades. Typically, I'll give the student several opportunities to correct their behaviour before addressing the parents, depending on the severity of the issue."

What is the most significant contribution you've made to a school you've worked for?

An effective principal works towardss the improvement of the school's services and opportunities. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's ability to advance their school successfully. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in providing a positive contribution to their school
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess areas of opportunity
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop ideas and viable solutions

Example:

"The most significant contribution I've made to a school was the expansion of the school's computer lab and student's IT resources. We identified a lack of available IT equipment and developed a financially responsible plan to secure more computers, tablets, and physical space to expand our computer lab."

Describe a time when you had to resolve a sensitive or volatile situation between a student and teacher.

A principal needs to mediate between staff and students effectively and with compassion and respect for both parties involved. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience moderating a discussion between student and teacher. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to mediate and resolve sensitive or volatile situations
  • Communication skills to effectively deescalate conflict
  • Awareness of sensitive issues, cultural appropriation, inclusion, and diversity

Example:

"I had a student upset with a teacher that had made a supposed inappropriate comment in the classroom regarding culture. I had to mediate a conversation between the two to find out what happened from both perspectives and then to come to a resolution."

What areas of improvement do you see for this school?

The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's interest in researching the school and district before arriving for the interview. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in researching the school, district, and position before the interview
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess areas of opportunity based on their research
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop suggestions for areas of improvement

Example:

"I understand that this school has an intense focus on academic learning with minimal non-academic extracurricular activities. One area of improvement I would suggest is the addition of more sports or physical activities. There's research to suggest that physically active students learn better and retain information longer."

How do you encourage your teachers to update their skills and knowledge?

A principal must prioritise the continuous professional development of their staff and teachers. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to encouraging ongoing training for their team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to act as a role model to their team by continuing their own professional development
  • Communication skills to offer suggestions and guidance for upcoming learning opportunities
  • Interest in creating a culture of continuous learning

Example:

"The best way to encourage my teacher to update their skills and knowledge is to lead by example and constantly improve my own. I also believe in sharing as much information as possible to the staff so they can plan their learning opportunities."

As a principal, what is your approach to providing student discipline?

A competent principal must be confident in their disciplinary approach with students. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's perspective on student discipline. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of appropriate student disciplinary actions and best practises
  • Ability to remain fair and objective when handling disciplinary events
  • Communication skills to relate to the student and form an understanding about their behaviours or actions

Example:

"As a principal, disciplining a student is my least favourite job. I believe in providing positive reinforcement and mentoring to adjust behaviours or actions and using discipline as a last resort."

What is the role of a principal in relation to the school board?

A principal typically works as a liaison between the school board and the school staff. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to their role concerning the school board. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in providing support to the teachers and school staff as a representative to the school board
  • Communication skills to understand pressing issues and areas of concerns to bring forward
  • Understanding of the role of a principal in the representation of the school

Example:

"As a principal, I believe I must represent my teachers and staff when addressing the board. It's my responsibility to look out for the best interest of the school, the students, and the staff."

How do you maintain open communication with the school's staff?

A successful principal provides direction and guidance to their staff. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to create and maintain open communication with the team. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust with staff
  • Communication skills to openly discuss issues and challenges
  • Interest in creating a culture of open communication between all staff

Example:

"Creating open communication with staff starts with building trust with the team and being willing to listen to their concerns and issues. Once I create a culture of having an open-door policy, I then can maintain that open communication by asking for feedback and collabouration."

What is it about this school that attracts you to the position of principal?

The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's motivation in applying for the position of principal. The candidate's response can provide insight into the research they completed about the school and role before the interview. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in researching the school and job description before attending the interview
  • Understanding of the school unique points of difference in the community
  • Awareness of the full scope of duties and responsibilities of the position

Example:

"The reputation of this school as a leader in science and math is of great interest to me. Having a personal interest and professional understanding of science and math allows me a unique perspective as a potential principal to continue the outstanding academic achievements of this school's students."

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